I would have liked to have published this item in February’s TTT 2, but unfortunately, space did not permit. So, the reference to dark nights is a little out of date, because the nights are now opening up and we are looking forward to the new season. Over to Mel Howe, who has written this article………………
It’s that time of year when the dark nights are still upon us and the car runs are quiet. If you are anything like Kev (the better half), you will already have started “tinkering” in the garage, preparing your beloved cars for all the challenges 2019 has to offer…….
So, with hopefully nearly empty new diaries for the latter part of 2019 can I recommend a challenging run for you and your cars with the question…..who’s up for the challenge?
If so, please put the date in your diaries now for The Teesside Yesteryear Motor Clubs – ESKDALE RUN – always held on the first Sunday in September.
ESKDALE, the word to conjure up thoughts of beautiful hills and valleys with vast rolling spreads of purple covered moorlands, forming the renowned scenery of the North Yorkshire Moors. To the motorist it is the thought of narrow, winding, picturesque roads with some NOTORIOUSLY steep hills. In the past on roads such as these, reliability and regularity trials were organised to test those early vehicles.
Entry to the event is open to motorcycles and cars; non-members’ vehicles have to be registered before 1st January 1972. Entry is usually strictly limited to just over 90 participants (in 2018 there were 98 entries) with an entry fee of £15 for non-club members and please note – this Club will make you very welcome.
Shortly after the closing date, successful applicants receive notification of their start time and number, together with details of the route which is approximately 100 miles long, involving several well-known inclines.
The event commences from Coulby Newham at the Middlesbrough and District Motor Club where you will be issued with a rally plate and route book.
There are checkpoints and observers en-route and the route is extremely well marshalled.
Think you are up to it?……….
How about starting with a quick look at your road maps over a cup of coffee and have a “Google” of the following places….?
Carlton Bank ascent, Fryup Dale Bank ascent, Limber Hill ascent (33%), Egton High Moor Bank (ascent 33%), Rosedale Chimney Bank ascent NB: this road shares with Hardknott Pass in Cumbria the title of the steepest road in England. There is a maximum gradient of 1:3, and it climbs 568 feet on its 0.81mile route. Moving on to Blakey Bank ascent, Sandhill Bank and Sleddale Bank descents to name but a few….the ascents and descents on this event just keep on coming !
The first year we took part we entered Kev’s 1936 MG TA and completed the run in dense mist and fog …. a huge achievement when we have done the route since and reflected on the fact we were on unfamiliar moorland roads, hardly able to see a hand in front of our faces!
The following 2 years we have entered in my Austin Healey Frog Eye Sprite and for the past two years I have won the title of “best lady driver” and this year also won “best car 1946-1959”.
There are some lovely places to stay either prior to or after the event so why not make a weekend of it? and it’s also a perfect location for exploring Whitby, Goathland, Hutton-le-Hole; and for those of you who like traditional, unspoilt English pubs….try Birch Hall Pub at Beck Hole (you can’t pass by without sampling their delicious beer cake!)
So, are you up to the challenge and, will we see any more familiar faces at the 2019 Eskdale Road Safety Event?
NB: for some members this is their “local” event, whether taking part or marshalling. For the rest of you out there……. this one should be on your “bucket list”. Entry forms are available, July 2019.
Contact details for the event are as follows…. chairman(at)tymc.org.uk or terry.peacock(at)virginmedia.com
Above: It’s one of those fords again! Below: Kev and Mel’s TA climbing yet another ascent on the Run. A Mini Clubman can just be seen bringing up the rear.
Above: Mel’s Sprite on one of those spectacular climbs, followed by a Triumph TR4A. Below: Time for a stop. Behind can be seen, not one, but two Austin A40 Farinas. I haven’t seen one of these for ages!
